Connection device between a vacuum cleaner and a suction pipe

ABSTRACT

A connection device between a suction pipe and a vacuum cleaning unit, the unit having a closing flap (5) displaceable between an open position and a closed position at the suction inlet of the unit by using a control member (11) as well as a component for locking the nozzle (20) to the suction unit. The suction unit is a vacuum cleaner having a dust bag (1), the closing flap (5) being arranged on the bag (1), and a control member (11) cooperating with the nozzle (20) by means of a cooperation device so that the locking of the nozzle (20) is possible as soon as the flap (5) is in its open position. Application to vacuum cleaners with disposable bags.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connection device between a suctionpipe, of the flexible type, and a mobile vacuum cleaner unit.

The present invention concerns a device for closing and ejecting adisposable bag of a vacuum cleaner, the bag being fixed, during acleaning operation on a part of the housing of said vacuum cleaner.

The invention is applied in a general manner to any mobile vacuumingunit of the vacuum cleaner type, which is displaceable by the user in azone to be cleaned and comprises a bag for trapping dust, beingremovable and disposable.

PRIOR ART

The state of the prior art in this field is constituted, for example, byU.S. Pat. No. 3,335,744, which describes a fixed, central vacuumcleaning system, connected to a suction pipe. The vacuuming systemcomprises a blocking valve arranged on a suction opening and elasticallyretractable during introduction of the suction pipe. The system thusdescribed concerns a central installation associated with an assembly ofsuction conduits distributed in the floors and/or the walls of thebuilding.

It is equally known to provide blocking means for bags, for example bythe intermediary of French Document A-932,776, which describes a bagfurnished with a closing means. This latter pivots between an openingposition and a closing position of the filling opening of the bag, withthe aid of a mechanical system constituted by a pivot axis, an elasticrestoring means as well as a part serving as an abutment for the closingmeans, arranged on a rigid plate of the bag. Such a system presents agroup of inconveniences and notably, in its construction, for which anumber of distinct and substantial pieces are necessary, thus generatinga high fabrication cost.

In addition, the arrangement of the system and more particularly of theclosing means on the rigid plate, in an accessible manner, weakens saidsystem, and the particular configuration of the closing means does notpermit simple and/or automatic operation thereof with an independentcontrol member.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the inconveniences ofthe prior art and to achieve in a simple manner, which is inexpensiveand easy to utilize, a vacuum cleaner whose suction pipe connectionsystem functions in an optimal manner in association with a closingmeans of the bag for trapping dust.

The object of the present invention consists in furnishing a closingdevice for the vacuum cleaner bag which the user can manipulate withoutentering into direct contact with said bag during the closing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to furnish the user of vacuumcleaners with a simple and nonrestricting device for ejecting said bagfrom the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Another object of the invention consists in utilizing a means forclosing the vacuum cleaner bag which occupies a limited space, is easilyfabricated, is inexpensive and can be disposed in an opening or closingposition at the will of the user.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a safety device intendedto prevent fixation of the suction pipe on the housing of the vacuumcleaner when the bag is closed.

A supplementary object of the invention is to furnish an automaticclosing device for vacuum cleaner bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the present invention are achieved with the aid of adevice for connection between a suction pipe and a vacuum cleaning unit,constituted by an attachment nozzle forming the extremity of the suctionpipe mounted in communication with the vacuum cleaning unit, whichcomprises a closing flap displaceable between an opening position and aclosing position of the suction inlet of said unit, with the aid of acontrol member as well as means for locking the nozzle on the vacuumcleaning unit, characterized in that the vacuum cleaning unit is amobile vacuum cleaner comprising a housing in which is disposed aremovable bag, serving as a dust recovery container, the closing flapbeing disposed on the bag, and the control member cooperating with theduct with the aid of cooperation means, in such a manner that thelocking of the duct on the housing with the aid of the locking means ispossible when the closing flap is in its opening position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear andbecome apparent in greater detail from a reading of the descriptionpresented herebelow, with reference to the attached drawings given byway of illustrative and nonlimiting examples in which:

FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner bag on which isarranged a closing means according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a partial cross-sectional view of the housing of thevacuum cleaner on which is arranged a control member and the extremityof the pipe of said vacuum cleaner according to the invention,

FIG. 3 represents a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleanerpipe nozzle according to the invention,

FIG. 3a represents a cross-sectional view of a nozzle support accordingto the invention,

FIG. 3b represents a partial cross-sectional view of the housing of avacuum cleaner according to the invention,

FIG. 3c represents an operating plan for locking of a nozzle on thevacuum cleaner housing.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the duct support of FIG. 3A and accordingto the invention.

BEST MANNER OF PRACTICING THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents a disposable vacuum cleaner dust bag 1 comprising arigid zone 1a, which contains a closing means of said dust bag 1, aswell as the arrangement of this means on said dust bag 1. The rigid zone1a, made for example of plastic or cardboard material, is constitutedparticularly by a guiding means 4 and a flap 5 for closing and openingdust bag 1. The guiding means 4 is made of a rigid material, for examplecardboard, which comprises a shaped perforation 4a for guiding theopening and closing flap 5 at the filling opening of dust bag 1. Theclosing flap 5 is mounted in the rigid zone 1a, which is provided withthe shaped perforation 4a whose form and contour provide the guidingmeans 4 in which closing flap 5 is displaced.

The shaped perforation 4a, arranged in the guiding means 4, presents aform of an ear associated with a recess 4b, the closing flap 5 partiallymating by its form the shaped perforation 4a and presenting a surfacebelow the shaped perforation 4a to permit rotation of said closing flap5, which is driven by a driving means 10 fixed to a tongue 5c associatedwith the flap 5 whose form corresponds to the recess 4b. This latterthus serves as a housing for the tongue 5c, in a manner to be able toturn in the recess 4b and thus create a rotation axis for the flap 5.The shaped perforation 4a is thus presented in the form of a virtualear. The closing flap 5, partially mating by its shape the shapedperforation 4a, also presents a form of an ear constituted by a solidlobe 5a and a perforated lobe 5b. The solid lobe 5a and the perforatedlobe 5b are attached to the tongue 5c in a manner such that this lattercan fulfill the role of a pivoting shaft. The tongue 5c is preferablycentered on a median line or a line of symmetry, not shown in thefigures, of the ear representing the solid lobe 5a and the perforatedlobe 5b. The recess 4b is thus equally centered on a median line or aline of symmetry, not shown in the figures, of the virtual ear definedby the shaped perforation 4a. The pivot shaft thus realized by thetongue 5c is centered on an axis x--x' schematizing also the axis ofassembly of the different pieces constituting the rigid zone of thebag 1. The recess 4b is also centered on the axis x--x'. Advantageouslythe tongue 5c, the solid lobe 5a and the perforated lobe 5b are made inone piece, which is obtained for example by cutting a cardboard sheet.

Flap 5 is housed in the shaped perforation 4a and the combined forms, ofthe shaped perforation 4a associated with the recess 4b and the flap 5associated with the tongue 5c, permit said flap 5 to be movable byrotation in the guiding means 4 between an opening position and aclosing position of the filling bag 1. The form and the contour of theshaped perforation 4a, associated with the configuration of the flap 5in the form of an ear, permits said flap to be guided along the lengthof its trajectory, extending between an opening and a closing positionof the filling inlet of bag 1. The shaped perforation 4a and/or therecess 4b are equally utilized as end abutments against which the flap 5comes to year in one or the other of its opening or closing position.According to another embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the flap 5 is constituted by a single solid lobe 5aassociated with the tongue 5c. The closing flap 5 covers a part of thesurface of the shaped perforation 4a, in a manner to permit said closingflap 5 to be displaced in said shaped perforation 4a. Thus in theopening position of bag 1, the perforated lobe 5b faces the fillingopening of the bag 1 and in the closing position of the flap 5, thesolid lobe 5a faces the filling inlet of the bag 1.

The rigid zone 1a of the bag 1 is constituted by an assemblage forming asandwich structure including a fastening plate 2 secured to the bag 1and provided with an orifice 2a, the guiding means 4 presenting theshaped perforation 4a in which is housed the closing flap 5 as well as arigid front sheet 6 in which is arranged an opening 6a in a manner tohold the closing flap 5 in the shaped perforation 4a. The rigid zone 1a,constituted by plates or layers assembled successively permits attaininga rigidity and an optimal flexibility for attaching or detaching the bag1 from the housing of the vacuum cleaner. The fastening plate 2,preferably made of a rigid material constitutes with the orifice 2a thefilling opening of the bag 1. Such a preferred embodiment renders therigid zone 1a and in particular the closing device, particularly solidand resistance to shocks. There does not exist in effect any possibilityof gaining access to the flap 5 in a manner to twist it or deform it inan undesired manner. Advantageously, the flap 5 is produced startingfrom the guiding means 4 by utilizing a portion of the material removedby any known means from said guiding means 4, during the formation ofthe shaped perforation 4a. The closing flap 5 is then cut in a manner tobe movable by rotation in the shaped perforation 4a and to dispose infront of the orifice 2a the perforated lobe 5b or the solid lobe 5a inorder to respectively open or close access to the bag 1. The rigid frontsheet 6 comprises an opening 6a centered on the orifice 2a. The rigidfront sheet 6 is for example cemented or stapled to the fastening plate2 in a manner to secure the entirety of the rigid zone 1a with thebag 1. The utilization of any other means for fastening the rigid frontsheet 6 on the fastening plate 2 is envisionable.

Preferentially, the thickness of flap 5 is slightly less than thethickness of guiding means 4 in a manner to facilitate its rotation inthe free space delimited by the fastening plate 2, the rigid front sheet6 as well as by a surface defined by the thickness of the guiding means4 and the contour of the shaped perforation 4a.

Advantageously, the rigid zone la comprises a waterproof membrane 3 inwhich a hole 3a is formed. The waterproof membrane 3 is disposed betweenthe fastening plate 2 and the guiding means 4. The hole 3a is preferablyformed by two perpendicular incisions centered on the orifice 2a, on theopening 6a and on the perforated lobe 5b when the flap 5 is in theopening position of bag 1. The utilization of a waterproof membrane 3 isparticularly advantageous for taking up play and consequently scalingdefects when a suction pipe is in communication with the bag I throughthe orifice 2a. The fastening plate 2, the waterproof membrane 3 and therigid front sheet 6 present respectively a hole 2b, 3b and 6b whichpermit the driving means 10, which is fixed to the 5c, to traverse thislatter and to transmit thereto a rotation movement.

The driving means 10 is controlled by a control member 11 operated fromoutside of the vacuum cleaner housing 13, said driving means 10 beingfixed to the tongue 5c by the intermediary of a notch 5d formed in saidtongue 5c. The housing 13 constitutes, of course, an enclosure and anexternal envelope of a vacuum assembly comprising particularly suctionorgans of the motor/ventilator type. In an advantageous manner, thenotch 5d could be replaced by two perpendicular crossed notches. Thedriving means 10 presents a form complementary with the notch 5d. Theoverall arrangement, constituted by the fastening plate 2, thewaterproof membrane 3, the guiding means 4, the flap 5 and the rigidfront sheet 6, represented in FIG. 1, thus constitute the rigid zone ofthe bag 1.

The control member 11 is mounted to be movable in translation above therigid zone la to exert a deformation on said rigid zone 1a permittingdetachment of the bag 1 from the housing 13 of the vacuum cleaner. Therigid zone 1a has a flexibility sufficient to be disengaged from an edge14 and a slot 14b when the user exerts a pressure on the control member11. Advantageously, the control member 11 comes into an initial positionby translation after the ejection of bag 1 by the intermediary of aspring I la arranged in said control member 11.

FIG. 2 represents a device for connection between a suction pipe and adust recovery bag I arranged on the housing 13 of a vacuum cleaner, saiddevice comprising a fastening nozzle 20 forming the extremity of thesuction pipe, means for locking the nozzle 20 on the housing 13 as wellas the flap 5 for closing bag 1 displaceable between an opening positionand a closing position of the filling bag 1. The device comprises acontrol member 11, and cooperation means arranged on the control member11 and on the nozzle 20 to cooperate when the closing flap 5 is in theopening position and to thus permit locking of the nozzle 20 on thehousing 13. The cooperation means are for example constituted by meansof the male/female type. Preferentially, the device comprises a malemeans arranged on the nozzle 20 and a female means arranged on thecontrol member 11. According to a variant of the device according to theinvention, this latter comprises a male means arranged on the controlmember 11 and a female means arranged on the nozzle 20.

In an advantageous manner, the cooperation means are constituted by alug 21 arranged on the nozzle 20 and an opening 11b arranged in a partof the control member 11, said lug 21 lodging in the opening 11b duringthe locking operation. The locking of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13can only be obtained when the lug 21 is introduced into the opening 11bor passes through the opening 11b. Such a cooperation is only possiblewhen the control member 11, which is movable by rotation, is found in awell determined angular position. This latter corresponds to the openingposition of the closing means of the bag 1. A rotation of the controlmember 11 corresponds to a rotation of the driving means 10 which ismechanically fixed to the control member 11.

Advantageously, the nozzle 20 is connected to a flexible pipeconstituting the vacuum cleaner pipe which is freely rotatable withrespect to the nozzle 20 by the intermediary of any known means. Thus,the user of the vacuum cleaner is not in any way inconvenienced by thefixed locking of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13. The control member 11is thus mounted to be made mobile by rotation in order to close or openthe bag 1 on the one hand and by translation in order to disconnect thebag I from the housing 13.

According to another embodiment of the connection device according tothe invention, the means for cooperation between the nozzle 20 and thecontrol member 11 are provided directly by the closing flap 5, inimpeding the locking operation of the nozzle 20. This latter comes toabut against the closing flap 5 when this latter is in the position forclosing the bag 1.

According to an additional variation of the device according to theinvention and shown in FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b, this latter comprises anozzle 20 furnished with at least one spur 22 on its periphery, a nozzlesupport 30 mounted to be movable in rotation on the housing 13 andcomprising on the one hand at least one slot 31 in which is displacedthe spur 22 and on the other hand a finger 32 cooperating with thedriving means 10 of the control member 11, said spur 22 extending towardthe exterior of the slot 31 in order to come to year on an abutmentsystem 15 formed of a staircase having two levels 16, 17 to guide thelocking of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13 by utilizing four distinctpositions for the spur 22.

The driving means 10 cooperates with the finger 32 by the intermediaryof a cam 10b, represented in FIG. 4 and arranged in a fixed manner onsaid driving means 10. The cam 10b is arranged on the driving means 10in the free space situated between the housing 13 and the rigid zone 1a.Thus, the finger 32 causes rocking of the cam 10b during a rotation ofthe nozzle 20 corresponding either to a closing or to an opening of thebag I by the closing means.

FIG. 3a shows the nozzle support 30, furnished with the slot 31 in whichis displaced the spur 22 and the finger 32 directing the control member11.

FIG. 3b represents the abutment system 15 presenting two distinct levels16 and 17 permitting the nozzle 20 to successively occupy severalpositions during the installation of the nozzle 20 on the nozzle support30. The first position corresponds to a resting of the spur 22 on thefirst level 16 of the abutment system 15 after a first insertion El ofthe nozzle 20, the second position corresponding to a positioning of thespur 22 beyond the first level 16 after a first rotation RI in theextension plane of the first level 16, the third position correspondingto a resting of the spur 22 on the second level 17 after a secondinsertion E2, the fourth position corresponding to the locking of thespur 22 on the housing 13 after a second rotation R2 in the plane ofextension of the second level 17. The abutment system 15, fixed to thehousing 13 and extending to the neighborhood of the periphery of thenozzle support 30, presents levels 16 and 17 which extend sufficientlyalong an internal periphery 19 of the housing 13 in a manner tosuccessively permit the opening of the bag 1 during the first rotationRI and the locking of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13 during the secondrotation R2. In addition, the first insertion El permits the spur 22 tolodge in the slot 31 and the second insertion E2 corresponds to theintroduction of the nozzle 20 into the bag 1 in a manner to traverse thewaterproof membrane 3.

In this embodiment, the provision of means such as a lug 21 and anopening 11b is no longer indispensable.

FIG. 3c represents the functional diagram of the placement of the nozzle20 on the housing 13. In showing the four successive locking stepsincluding the first insertion E1, the first rotation R1, the secondinsertion E2 as well as the second rotation R2.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises a boss18 arranged on the housing 13 opposite the second level 17 of theabutment 15, said spur 22 is housed between the boss 18 and the secondlevel 17 in the locking position of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13.Thus, the nozzle 20 cannot be separated from the housing 13. Theunlocking or the disconnection of the nozzle 20 from the housing 13 iseffectuated in a manner inverse to the locking by disengaging the spur22 from the boss 18 against which the spur 22 bears in the lockingposition.

Thus, the means for cooperation permit actuating automatically theopening and the closure of the bag 1 with respectively the operation oflocking and of unlocking of the nozzle 20 on the housing 13.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the opening 11b opens onto a free space in which is displaceda shaft not shown in the figures and fixed to the nozzle support 30after the second insertion E2. Thus a face 11c is overhanging andprovides an abutment for the shaft when the user exerts a pressure onthe control member 11 when the nozzle 20 is locked onto the housing 13corresponding to a position of an opening of the opening means of bag 1.This latter can then not be disconnected from the housing 13.

According to another embodiment of the device according to theinvention, a complementary support can be arranged on the housing 13preventing any translation of the control member 11 when the closingmeans of bag 1 is in the opening position.

According to another embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the boss 18 is replaced by a ramp which is inclined withrespect to the horizontal and arranged on the internal periphery 19 ofthe housing 13.

According to another embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the abutment 15 is constituted by a profiled groove arrangedin the housing 13. The spur 22 is thus displaced into the profiledgroove and cannot in any manner be disengaged from said profiled grooveas long as it is not in the first position corresponding to the firstinsertion El. The device thus conceived prevents the nozzle 20 frombeing disconnected from the housing 13 as long as the closing means orflap 5 of the bag 1 is not in its closed position.

Advantageously, the abutment system 15 of a device to the inventioncomprises a second abutment 15 symmetric with respect to the first inorder to assure a better stability of the locked assembly, which isconstituted by the nozzle 20 and the housing 13. In this embodiment, theabutment system 15 corresponds to a bayonet type system.

FIGS. 2, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c and 4 schematically show thus a device forconnection between a vacuuming unit and a suction pipe, constituted bythe nozzle 20, means for locking the nozzle 20 on the housing 13 as wellas cooperation means permitting the nozzle 20 to cooperate with thecontrol member 11, in such a manner that the locking of said nozzle 20is possible when the flap 15 is in its opening position.

The functioning of the device according to the invention is illustratedin the following by the following operations. The user commences byfixing the bag 1 at the interior of the housing 13 by the intermediaryof the edge 14 and of the slot 14b, in a fashion to engage the drivingmeans 10 in the notch 5d. The user then causes the control member 11 toturn in a manner to position the flap 5 in its opening position. Thenozzle 20 can then be fixed on the housing 13. When the bag 1 is filled,the user separates the nozzle 20 from the housing 13, turns the flap 5into its closing position with the aid of the control member 11 andseparates the part of the housing 13 on which the bag 1 is fixed fromthe rest of the suction unit. The user can then disconnect the bag 1from the removable part of housing 13, for example over a trashreceptacle, by a simple pressure on the control member 11.

Another functioning of the device according to the invention is obtainedby another embodiment. The user fixes the bag 1 initially closed forexample on the housing 13. Engagement of the nozzle 20 in the housing13, by the intermediary of spurs 22 and of the nozzle support 30, andaccording to the respective movements EL, RI, E2 and R2, permitsrespectively to open the filling inlet of the bag 1 and to lock thenozzle 20 on the housing 13. When the user separates the nozzle 20 fromthe housing 13, the flap 5 of the bag 1 is automatically found in itsclosing position. The control member 11 is then utilized uniquely toseparate the rigid part 1a from said housing 13, by a translationmovement of the control member 11. A simplification could in this casebe envisioned and this would consist in utilizing the driving means 10,associated with the cam 10b, as the control member 11 at the interior ofthe housing 13. The user should then separate the bag 1 from the housing13 by its own means and nota1b lb 1b b a twisting of the rigid

One advantage of the device according to the invention resides in theattainment of an automatic closing of the bag 1 by the unlocking of thenozzle 20 or by the action of the control member 11 directly by theuser.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is obtainedby the absence of direct contact between the user and the bag 1 filledwith dust after utilization of the vacuum cleaner. The ejection beingeffected by simple pressure on the control member 11.

A supplemental advantage of the bag 1 according to the invention residesin the realization of a closing system, comprising a flap 5 pivoting onthe one hand and not having an axis of rotation for said flap 5.

POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its industrial application in the field of vacuumcleaners.

We claim:
 1. A device for connecting a suction pipe to a vacuum cleaningunit and to a removable dust bag (1) for performance of a vacuumingoperation, the cleaning unit having a housing (13) and a suction inlet,and the bag (1) having a filling opening (2a) and a flap (5), the flap(5) being carried by the bag (1) and being movable between an openingposition in which the filling opening (2a) is unlocked and a closingposition in which the filling opening is blocked, said devicecomprising:an attachment nozzle (20) connected to form an extremity ofthe suction pipe; means for temporarily securing the dust bag (1) to thehousing (13) so that the filling opening (2a) is aligned with thesuction inlet; a control member (11) which is movable between a firstposition for placing the flap (5) in the opening position and a secondposition for placing the flap in the closing position when the dust bag(1) is secured to the cleaning unit; and cooperation means coupled tosaid control member for allowing said nozzle (20) to be locked in thesuction inlet and to project past the flap only when said control member(11) is in the first position.
 2. Device according to claim 1 whereinsaid cooperation means comprise male and female elements arranged onsaid control member (11) and on said nozzle (20), respectively, in amanner to cooperate when the flap (5) is in its opening position thuspermitting locking off said nozzle (20) on the housing (13).
 3. Deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said control member (11) is mounted tomovable in rotation to move the flap between the opening and closingpositions, and to be movable in translation to separate the bag (1) fromthe housing (13).
 4. Device according to claim 1 wherein saidcooperation means comprise a lug (21) arrange on said nozzle (20) and anopening (11b) arranged in said control member (11), said lug in theopening (11b) during locking of said nozzle (20) on the housing (13). 5.Device according to claim 1 further comprising: at least one spur (22)carried by, an extending from the periphery of, said nozzle (20); anozzle support (30) mounted to be movable by rotation on the housing(13),wherein said nozzle support (30) has at least one slot (31) inwhich said spur (22) is displaceable and a finger (32) cooperating withan opening (11b) arranged in said control member (11), said spur (22)extending out of the slot (31); and an abutment system (15) composed ofsteps having two levels (16, 17), said spur being movable between fourdistinct position relative to said abutment system while bearing on saidabutment system in order to guide the locking of nozzle (20) on thehousing (13).
 6. Device according to claim 5 wherein a first position ofsaid spur corresponds to a support of said spur (22) on a first level(16) of said abutment system (15) after a first insertion (E1) of saidnozzle (20), a second position of said spur corresponds to a position ofsaid spur (22) beyond the first level (16), after a first rotation (R1)in the plane of extension of the first level (16), a third position ofsaid spur corresponds to a support of said spur (22) on a second level(17) after a second insertion (E2), and a fourth position of said spurcorresponds to the locking of said spur (22) on the housing (13) after asecond rotation (R2) in the plane of extension of the second level (17).7. Device according to claim 6 further comprising a boss (18) arrangedon the housing (13) facing the second level (17) of said abutment system(15), said spur (22) being housed between said boss (18) and the secondlevel (17) to correspond to a position in which said nozzle (20) islocked in the suction inlet.
 8. Device according to claim 5 wherein saidabutment system (15) is constituted by a profiled groove arranged in thehousing (13).
 9. Device according to claim 1 wherein said device ismounted on the vacuum cleaning unit housing, and the housing containsvacuum cleaner components of the motor/ventilator type as well as thedisposable bag (1).
 10. A vacuum cleaner comprising:a suction pipe; avacuum cleaning unit having a housing (13) and a suction inlet; aremovable dust bag (1) having a filling opening (2a) and a flap (5),said flap (5) being by said bag (1) and being movable between an openingposition in which said filling opening (2a) is unlocked and a closingposition in which said filling opening is blocked; an attachment nozzle(20) connected to form an extremity of said suction pipe; means fortemporarily securing said dust (1) to said housing (13) so that saidfilling opening (2a) is aligned with said suction inlet; a controlmember (11) which is movable between a first position for placing saidflap (5) in the opening position and a second position for placing saidflap in the closing position when said dust bag (1) is secured to saidcleaning unit; and cooperation means coupled to said control member forallowing said nozzle (20) to be locked in said suction inlet and toproject past said flap only when said control member (11) is in thefirst position.
 11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10 whereinsaid bag (1) comprises a rigid member (1a) located in the vicinity ofsaid inlet opening of said bag (1) and containing said closing flap (5).